Economy

Laos Opens New Route for Businesses to Protect Product Designs Abroad

From 14 October, Lao designers and businesses will be able to protect the look of their products in multiple countries through a single application submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), instead of filing separate applications in every country where they want protection. The change works both ways. Foreign...

Bear Paws, Pangolin Meat Seized in Vientiane Restaurant Raid Amid Laos’ Wider Crackdown

Lao authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal wildlife trade after raiding a...

Laos Formalizes Shanghai Cooperation Organization Dialogue Partner Status

Laos has strengthened its regional ties after formally confirming its status as a Dialogue...

Global Financial Bodies Warns of Slower Growth, Higher Inflation for Laos in 2026

Laos' economy is expected to continue expanding this year, even as slower growth and...

Railway Expansion, Education Reform Among Key Issues at National Assembly

Expanding the railway to southern Laos, rolling out a new school system, reducing poverty,...

Fire Incidents Cost Vientiane Capital LAK 760 Million in Four Months

Vientiane Capital has reported economic damages of about LAK 760 million or over USD 40,000 due to fire-related incidents from January to April. Lieutenant...

BOL, Ministry of Finance Sign MOU to Enhance Cooperation

The Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) and the Ministry of Finance signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday to improve cooperation between...

President of Laos to Attend “Future of Asia” Conference in Japan

President Thongloun Sisoulith will attend the Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo, Japan which is being held under the slogan, "Leveraging Asia’s Power to...

Drinking Water Association Announces Price Hike Due to Economic Hurdles

The Drinking Water Association in Vientiane Capital released a notice on Thursday, announcing an increase in price of the 18 liters bottle of drinking...

Inflation and Debt Weigh Down Laos Economic Recovery, Says World Bank Report

Economic activity in Laos is weighed down by structural challenges, macroeconomic instability, and a deteriorating external environment, according to the World Bank’s latest Lao...

El Niño to Hurt In-Season Rice Output in Thailand

Royal Ploughing Day, held on 17 May, marks the start of the rice planting season in Thailand, but researchers say El Niño could hurt...